The Seaver Endowment
The Seaver Endowment is a private foundation established in 2005 and based in Sierra Madre, California. Operating as a non-operating private foundation, the organization functions as a trust entity dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$332K
-10.6% YoY
Grant Count
22
-24.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+17.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Seaver Endowment reported a distributable amount of $251K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Seaver Endowment primarily funds initiatives in the following areas:
- Human Rights and Legal Defense: Supporting organizations that defend human rights and freedoms through legal means
- Higher Education: Providing grants to support educational institutions and programs
- Reading and General Education: Promoting literacy and educational advancement
- Arts and Culture: Supporting performing arts organizations
- Social Justice: Advancing social justice initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made an additional 18 grants totaling $289,500 in 2023.
Grant Range
$250–$62,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Seaver Endowment's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- California
- New York
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023
- Total assets: $3,842,626
- Total revenues: $155,110
- Total expenses: $410,604
- Number of employees: 0
As of 2024 (most recent filing)
- Total assets: $3,870,890
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,870,890 | $3,842,626 | $4,098,120 |
| Revenue | $396,107 | $155,110 | $215,084 |
| Expenses | $367,843 | $410,604 | $386,885 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $332,444 | $374,987 | $348,699 |
| Net Investment Income | $359,383 | $122,012 | $181,202 |
| Distributable Amount | $251,045 | $246,558 | $263,442 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
117 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pomona College ($62,000), Foundation for Individual Rights and Education ($30,000), Judicial Watch Inc ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL ARCADIA FESTIVAL OF BANDS ARCADIA, CA | TO PROMOTE EDUCATION | $20,000 |
| COMMENTARY INC NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT PUBLIC MEDIA | $1,000 |
| DEVIL PUPS INC WILMINGTON, CA | TO SUPPORT YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS | $1,500 |
| FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EDUCATION PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS THROUGH LEGAL MEANS | $30,000 |
| JUDICIAL WATCH INC WASHINGTON, DC | TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS THROUGH LEGAL MEANS | $30,000 |
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | TO PROMOTE READING AND GENERAL EDUCATION | $10,000 |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH NEW YORK, NY | TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS THROUGH LEGAL MEANS | $2,500 |
| NATIONAL REVIEW INSTITUTE NEW YORK, NY | TO DEVELOP AND SUPPORT CONSERVATISM | $30,000 |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION SACRAMENTO, CA | TO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS THROUGH LEGAL MEANS | $25,000 |
| PRINCETON PROSPECT FOUNDATION PRINCETON, NJ | TO SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| R CARLTON SEAVER | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Address PO Box 1210 Sierra Madre, CA 91025-4210
Tax Status
- EIN: 20-6595504
- IRS Classification: 501(c)(3)
- Ruling Date: September 2005
- Status: Unconditional Exemption
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Seaver Endowment fund?
The Seaver Endowment primarily funds initiatives in the following areas: • **Human Rights and Legal Defense**: Supporting organizations that defend human rights and freedoms through legal means • **Higher Education**: Providing grants to support educational institutions and programs • **Reading and General Education**: Promoting literacy and educational advancement • **Arts and Culture**: Supporting performing arts organizations • **Social Justice**: Advancing social justice initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from The Seaver Endowment?
**Grant Activity (2023)** • Total grants awarded: 23 grants • Total giving: $331,500 • Typical grant range: $250–$62,000 **Recent Grant Examples (2023)** • Los Angeles Opera Company: $50,000 (to promote music) • Judicial Watch: $30,000 (to defend human rights and freedoms through legal means) • Pacific Legal Foundation: $25,000 (to defend human rights and freedoms through legal means) The foundation made an additional 18 grants totaling $289,500 in 2023.
Where does The Seaver Endowment make grants?
The Seaver Endowment's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • California • New York • District of Columbia
What size grants does The Seaver Endowment award?
In 2024, The Seaver Endowment awarded 22 grants totaling $332K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Seaver Endowment required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Seaver Endowment reported a distributable amount of $251K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Seaver Endowment's EIN?
The Seaver Endowment's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6595504. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Seaver Endowment's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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